About this title: The aphorisms that make up the philosophy of war and strategy by Sun Tzu have, several centuries later, become a must-read for young professionals in business. Though the text can be applied to the ruthless world of commerce, this translation by Thomas Cleary contextualizes the teachings in the Taoist tradition, enabling the work to transcend the simple co-opting of the philosophy for business strategies. By clarifying the philosophical origins, Cleary makes the text applicable not only to winning a literal war but also to almost any conflict-resolution situation, as well as to achieving ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date Published: 1971
ISBN-13:9780195014761ISBN:0195014766
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Clean text, first two pages multiple folds. No spine creases. Cover some edge/corner wear. Ship daily (carefully wrapped + free domestic dc). Text in English. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 222 p. UNESCO Collection of Representative Works: European. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: Very Good. 0877734526 Great condition Soft Cover book, clean pages, mild creases to spine, light edge/corner rubs, this book is GREAT! Shop & Save With US. read more
Description: Good. Tuttle, TPB, 1996 reprint, 9th printing (2004). Good reading copy, tight, very light wear, highlighting on four pages, all else clean. read more
Description: Good. Light shelf wear and minimal interior marks. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. Light shelf wear and minimal interior marks. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. Light shelf wear and minimal interior marks. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Very good. Book has appearance of light use with no easily noticeable wear. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
"I have to admit that I have not read any other translation/edition from this classic. In any case, both this translated work and introductory essay from Mr Griffith are both superb. This is important, as a set of "quotes" it might be really hard to read without proper introduction, poor translation or poor foreknowledge on the subject. It is a 2500 years book, in Chinese, so pay attention to the translator.
Also, the Annexes are quite interesting, too.
My feeling is that this translation is quite closer to the original objectives and intention. It seems to me that Mr Griffith's military background is clearly put on the translation so to bring a new point of view beyond the usual translation from other renown sinologist. This is quite a nice feature, because it brings light to Sun Tzu verses that might be kept obscure otherwise. Also, it makes it more amiable.
Probably this fact makes the difference between this and other editions/translations.
Therefore, this 5 star goes for both the disputed Chinese author and the translator.
As for the content itself, surely one can wonder how such simple compilation of common-sense can be regarded as a master work. To answer this, one should ask another question: how is that along 2500 years we have been and are suffering from misery, pain and distress due to ill-lead governments and wars of carnage. And how many more we should expect from the future...
I think that many people miss the point that for Sun Tzu the war is a really bad thing to happen. It causes pain and misery to the people and may bring ruin to the state. It is a serious thing to consider, so the superb general is that who wins without actually fighting. It is not a 'militaristic' book. It is just common-sense applied to something nasty, but unavoidable: war."
"The title of this book has been raved by so many people, but which Art of War book did they read? The one I skimmed seemed interesting but not reader friendly. When the format turned into a dialogue then into a poetic-like framework, I found it difficult to follow and ascertain. The theories and techniques are valid and potent. Perhaps I'd appreciate it more if I deemed myself in some sitation of war in the lifestyle I'm living out. During the time I picked up this book, I was also watching a chinese movie called The Legend of Guan Gong. Coincidentally, the Art of War was preached and demonstrated throughout the movie. Though the book didn't impress me, the movie was brilliant in how it portrayed the concepts. The philosophy behind the Art of War is remarkable. The book, unfortunately, doesn't do it justice."
"This was not the translation I actually read, but I could not find the one I did -- from Shambala Press. I have read this book probably 13 or 14 times -- by far the most times I have ever revisited a book -- with the exception of perhaps Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. At one time, I was making a point to read it once a month. Basically, it is ancient Chinese strategy for how to conduct warfare -- but the true message of the book, I believe, is in seeking a way to peace. There are volumes of wisdom here -- and in many ways it is perhaps my all time favorite book. While it is largely a manual written for generals of armies long ago, its lessons have parallels in all facets of our day to day life: to our interactions with others, to business, to negotiations, to politics, to poker (especially!). Just writing this all down makes me want to read it again. I will never be without this book close at hand."
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